Coaching for Leaders

Latest Episodes:

751: Leadership Through Our Common Humanity, with Neil Ghosh Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

Neil Ghosh: Do More Good Neil Ghosh is a seasoned executive whose expertise spans the nonprofit, government, philanthropic, and private sectors. With 30+ years of experience, he has successfully launched and scaled both nonprofit and for-profit ventures, building teams, business models, partnerships, and strategies to drive impact and support vulnerable populations in more than 50 countries. His book is Do More Good: Inspiring Lessons from Extraordinary People (Amazon, Bookshop)*. There are many differences in the world today, and those differences influence leaders just like everybody else. That’s why Neil Ghosh has this invitation for us: “Never let age or ideology come between learning and growth.” In this conversation, Neil and I explore how we can lean in on great leadership through our common humanity. Key Points In anyone we know, we can always find one positive attribute that we can learn from. Never let age or ideology come between learning and growth. The Dalai Lama reminds us to offer compassion and kindness, regardless of whether the recipient is in need. Give back without expecting fanfare. Help people get what they want through peer mentoring. Use your platform to promote unity and to be an advocate for others. Befriend people who have different views. Join or start a book club that intentionally selects books from diverse viewpoints. Resources Mentioned Do More Good: Inspiring Lessons from Extraordinary People (Amazon, Bookshop)* by Neil Ghosh Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes How to Connect with People Better, with Charles Duhigg (episode 670) Turning Down the Temperature on Outrage, with Karthik Ramanna (episode 711) How to Bring Out the Best in People, with Donna Hicks (episode 724) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

750: Six Questions Every Leader Should Ask Themselves, with Margaret Andrews Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

Margaret Andrews: Manage Yourself to Lead Others Margaret Andrews is a seasoned executive, academic leader, speaker, and instructor. Her course MYLO (Manage Yourself to Lead Others) has become the most popular professional development program at Harvard. She is the author of Manage Yourself to Lead Others: Why Great Leadership Begins with Self-Understanding (Amazon, Bookshop)*. Virtually every book, course, and program on leadership begins with self-understanding. That’s no accident; it’s because managing ourselves helps us lead others more effectively. In this episode, Margaret and I explore the six key questions that will help you manage yourself better. Key Points When people are asked to describe the attributes of their best bosses, 85% of the responses highlight interpersonal skills. Our differences are our features, not our flaws. Knowing yourself well helps you lead others better. Six Questions for Self-Understanding: Who, and whose thinking, has shaped you as an individual? What situations and events have helped shape your perspective? What does success look like for you? What are your core values, and how have these values changed throughout your life? To what extent are you aware of—and allow yourself to feel—your emotions? What feedback have you received over the years about how your actions and behaviors impact others? Resources Mentioned Manage Yourself to Lead Others: Why Great Leadership Begins with Self-Understanding by Margaret Andrews (Amazon, Bookshop)* Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes Enhance Your Self-Awareness, with Daniel Goleman (episode 353) The Way to Be More Self-Aware, with Tasha Eurich (episode 442) Discover Who You Are, with Hortense le Gentil (episode 459) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

749: How to Balance Positive and Constructive Feedback, with Mark Crowley Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

Mark Crowley: The Power of Employee Well-Being Mark Crowley is a pioneer in workplace leadership, a speaker, and the bestselling author of Lead from the Heart. He is the host of the Lead from the Heart podcast. His new book is The Power of Employee Well-Being: Move Beyond Engagement to Build Flourishing Teams (Amazon, Bookshop)*. When I talk with leaders, many of them tell me that it’s really hard to decide on how much recognition to give people vs. constructive or critical feedback. In this conversation, Mark and I highlight the ideal ratio to calibrate our communications so that we support people’s well-being while also helping them grow. Key Points Despite the focus on employee engagement, actual engagement scores are the same or worse than a decade ago. Post-COVID, there’s a massive move towards employee well-being. This is good for both the organization and the employee. An ideal positivity ratio is 4:1 in many relationships. That’s four positive interactions for every constructive or critical interaction. We react more strongly to negative influence than positive influence, thus the need for a ratio favoring the positive. Positive interactions include optimism, enthusiasm, solutions orientation, encouragement, kindness, thoughtfulness, approachability, interest, and appreciation. Leaders still must make unpopular decisions, set expectations, and give critical feedback. Positive interactions are in addition to these, not instead of them. Resources Mentioned The Power of Employee Well-Being: Move Beyond Engagement to Build Flourishing Teams (Amazon, Bookshop)* by Mark Crowley Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes How to Build Psychological Safety, with Amy Edmondson (episode 404) Gallup Findings on the Changing Nature of Work, with Jim Harter (episode 409) The Way to Notice People Better, with Zach Mercurio (episode 733) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

748: What Really Matters for Team Success, with Colin Fisher Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

Colin Fisher: The Collective Edge Since his days as a professional jazz trumpet player, Colin Fisher has been fascinated by group dynamics. Today, he is an Associate Professor of Organizations and Innovation at University College London's School of Management, researching the hidden processes of helping groups and teams in situations requiring creativity, improvisation, and complex decision-making. He is the author of The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups (Amazon, Bookshop). Most of us assume that the best thing we can do for our teams is to be a great coach as they’re working together. That absolutely helps, but the research says that only 10% of group effectiveness is what we do once the team is underway. In this conversation, Colin and I explore how to get a lot better at the other 90%. Key Points The house always wins. If the structure isn’t right for the team to succeed, little else matters in the long run. Leaders tend to put a majority of their attention on coaching teams in progress instead of the more significant work at the start of structuring and launching teams. Work on fixing structural problems before you focus on fixing the process. 60% of group effectiveness is determined by structure, 30% by the launch, and 10% by expert coaching. Critical for structure is the team goal being clear, important, and challenging. Be sure to document it. Negotiate roles, tasks, and jobs to support structure. Determine early how to articulate progress and highlight small wins. Ask yourself if the group has the right people to achieve the objective. Deep diversity that supports the goal is essential. Surface discussions about norms at the start, especially related to communication and storage of information. At a team launch, articulate why everyone is there, discuss key norms, and schedule a midpoint to reflect and align. Resources Mentioned The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups (Amazon, Bookshop) by Colin Fisher Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes How to Create Team Guidelines, with Susan Gerke (episode 192) How to Generate Quick Wins, with Andy Kaufman (episode 496) How to Increase Team Performance Through Clarity, with David Burkus (episode 657) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

747: How to Get Out of a Rut, with Anne-Laure Le Cunff Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

Anne-Laure Le Cunff: Tiny Experiments Anne-Laure Le Cunff is an award-winning neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and writer. She is the founder of Ness Labs and author of its widely read newsletter, a researcher at the ADHD Research Lab, and an advisor for the Applied Neuroscience Association. She is the author of Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World*. We all get into a rut sometimes. Once we notice we’re in one, our tendency is to work really hard to get out of it. In this conversation, Anne-Laure and I explore how starting with something tiny is often the better bet. Key Points SMART goals assume we know exactly where we’re heading. Most of the time, that’s not clear. A tiny experiment focuses on outputs instead of outcomes. To build more comfort with uncertainty, find one small place to experiment. Our brain uses growth loops to constantly adjust our trajectory. We don’t go in circles; we grow in circles. Improving growth isn’t about knowledge or skill; it’s thinking about your thinking, questioning your responses, and knowing your mind. A simple, 5-minute tool is Plus Minus Next. It surfaces what’s working, what’s not, and your next steps. Resources Mentioned Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World* by Anne-Laure Le Cunff Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes How to Become the Person You Want to Be, with James Clear (episode 376) How to Change Your Behavior, with BJ Fogg (episode 507) How to Create Space, with Juliet Funt (episode 540) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

746: How to Make Small Talk with Executives, with Lorraine K. Lee Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

Lorraine K. Lee: Unforgettable Presence Lorraine K. Lee is passionate about helping ambitious professionals go from invisible to unforgettable in the modern workplace. She is recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice in workplace communication and presence and spent over a decade as a founding editor at top tech firms like LinkedIn and Prezi, where she worked on core products including the LinkedIn Daily News module and LinkedIn Newsletters. She is the author of Unforgettable Presence: Get Seen, Gain Influence, and Catapult Your Career. Small talk. We all love to hate it – and we also know that most of us will end up in small talk with someone who’s got a lot of influence. It may be an executive or an external stakeholder. Either way, handling it well can open up doors. In this conversation, Lorraine and I detail how to make small talk go better. Key Points Small talk is the starting point before a deeper relationship. Most opportunities for executive small talk are predictable. Preparation will help you speak well. Set the tone with positive energy. Rather than dominating the interaction or passively reacting to it, thread your conversations so each party shares equally. At the office, be ready with a sentence or two about who you work with and what you’re working on. Relationships and outcomes are more memorable than titles. At social events, share a hobby or interest and ask about theirs. Keep questions open-ended as you would with a friend. Have a topic ready to go for quick interactions. Sharing a thought about a book or podcast that relates to your organization is a useful resource to have at the ready. Review your go-to topics regularly so that you always have a relevant conversation topic. Resources Mentioned Unforgettable Presence: Get Seen, Gain Influence, and Catapult Your Career by Lorraine K. Lee Lorraine's weekly newsletter Lorraine's career tips on LinkedIn Learning Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes Executive Presence with Your Elevator Speech, with Tom Henschel (episode 316) How to Talk to People Who Intimidate You, with Shandy Welch (episode 706) A Key Tactic for Way Better Conversations, with Alison Wood Brooks (episode 717) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

745: How Music Can Help Us Lead, with Mort Sherman Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

Mort Sherman: Resonant Minds Mort Sherman is the retired Senior Associate Executive Director of the American Association of School Administrators, known for his visionary leadership as a superintendent dedicated to elevating academic standards and promoting equitable education. Throughout his career, he championed initiatives that addressed achievement gaps and empowered communities to foster inclusive, impactful learning environments. He is the author, along with his daughter Sara Leila Sherman, of Resonant Minds: The Transformative Power of Music, One Note at a Time. So many of us love music, and it’s often at the core of a lot of our personal lives, celebrations, and emotions. But we don’t often think about how we can leverage its power at work. In this conversation, Mort and I explore how music can help us set the tone for better leadership. Key Points One way to nurture our teams and ourselves is a continual call for leaders, and music is an avenue we don’t often consider. Using music as mindful action, coupled with executive function skills, supports the habits of successful leadership. Start meetings with music or mindfulness exercises for collective focus, productive discussions, and creative outcomes. Create team playlists to build community. Combine playlists with meetings to help support trust and respect. Use music to reinforce a message or theme, tied to the needs of the moment. Resources Mentioned Why Cooks Cook from The Bear Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes The Power of Leadership Through Hospitality, with Will Guidara (episode 688) How to Better Manage Your Emotions, with Ethan Kross (episode 719) What Leaders Should Learn from Taylor Swift, with Kevin Evers (episode 739) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus

744: Where Being Selfish is Better, with Jenny Wood Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

Jenny Wood: Wild Courage Over an 18-year career at Google, Jenny Wood grew from entry-level to executive, most recently leading a large operations team that helped drive billions of revenue per year. In 2021, she started a passion project within Google called Own Your Career, which grew to one of the largest career development programs in Google’s history. Her work has since been featured in Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneur, and Forbes, and she’s now the author of Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It*. Leadership is about serving others – and it’s also ensuring that we take care of ourselves along the way. Sometimes leaders over-index on helping their organizations and teams, to their own detriment. In this conversation, Jenny and I explore where being a little more selfish might actually be better for everyone. Key Points Selfish redefined means having the courage to stand up for what you want. People want to join a winning team, even if they don’t say that out loud. Guilt is natural, but always caving to it is self-defeating. Don’t do work that’s not actually promotable. There’s no prize for an empty inbox. A belief like “I owe it to them,” may signal an over-commitment to the organization. They will not love you back. Appreciate truth when you get it, but don’t sign up for a burned-out boss. It’s inefficient to always be in the lead. Draft in another leader’s wake. Resources Mentioned Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It* by Jenny Wood Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes Align Your Calendar to What Matters, with Nir Eyal (episode 431) The Ways Leadership Can Derail Us, with Bill George (episode 596) The Path to More Joy in Work and Life, with Judith Joseph (episode 734) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

743: How to Teach Your Expertise to Others, with Roger Kneebone Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

Roger Kneebone: Expert Roger Kneebone directs the Imperial College Centre for Engagement and Simulation Science and the Royal College of Music–Imperial College Centre for Performance Science. He researches what experts from different fields can learn from one another, including a creative team of clinicians, computer scientists, musicians, magicians, potters, puppeteers, tailors, and fighter pilots. He is the author of Expert: Understanding the Path to Mastery*. Many leaders get into the roles they have because they are the experts in their work. But once you’re leading, the work is less about being the expert and more about teaching your expertise to others. In this conversation, Roger and I explore how to get better at doing this well. Key Points Experts don’t often recognize that they are experts. A characteristic of many experts is a dissatisfaction with where they are and an awareness that they could do better. Experts should notice what’s missing and what would be most helpful to the less experienced person. Effective teachers zero in on one thing at a time, even if they notice many areas for improvement. Passing along expertise is not just the skills themselves but the perspective of why each skill matters. Land in the zone of proximal development. The skill should neither be too easy nor too difficult. Resources Mentioned Expert: Understanding the Path to Mastery* by Roger Kneebone Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes Help People Learn Through Powerful Teaching, with Pooja Agarwal (episode 421) The Art of Mentoring Well, with Robert Lefkowitz (episode 599) How to Handle High-Pressure Situations, with Dan Dworkis (episode 701) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

742: The Problem Leaders Have With Authenticity, with Sabina Nawaz Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

Sabina Nawaz: You’re the Boss Sabina Nawaz is an executive coach who advises C-level executives and teams at Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, nonprofits, and academic institutions. During her 14-year tenure at Microsoft, she went from managing software development teams to leading the company’s executive development and succession planning efforts for over 11,000 managers and nearly a thousand executives, advising Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer directly. She’s the author of You're the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need)*. Every leader I know intends to be authentic. Unfortunately, we sometimes use authenticity as an excuse not to do the critical work of calibrating our actions. In this conversation, Sabina and I discuss how to avoid that trap so we can show up more genuinely for others. Key Points “Yeah, but…” signals justification and holds us back from what we most need to learn. Your success comes despite unhelpful traits, not because of them. Pure authenticity is a complete fallacy. Authenticity is not singular. We sometimes use authenticity as an excuse not to do the important work of calibrating our actions. Don’t let the smokescreen of past “authenticity” get in the way of growth. Authenticity is not static. Reading your old past social media posts will remind you of this. When shifting, start with small experiments to nudge you in a new direction. Language that may be warning signs of the authenticity trap: “That’s just how I am.” “I’m not the kind of person who…” “I’m not being true to myself if…” “That’s the way I’ve always done things, and it’s worked for me.” Resources Mentioned You're the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need)* by Sabina Nawaz Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes How to Change Your Behavior, with BJ Fogg (episode 507) How to Start a Big Leadership Role, with Carol Kauffman (episode 617) The Habits That Hold Leaders Back, with Marshall Goldsmith (episode 696) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected